Dr. Ghislain Paka, PhD, DEPD, CSPQ
Doctorate in Neurobiology (2017)
Clinical Biochemist, CIUSSS du Saguenay Lac St-Jean, de la Côte-Nord et du Nord du Québec
“You have to believe in your potential, dare to explore, question, and seize every opportunity to learn.”
Leaving one's home country to pursue doctoral studies abroad is a choice guided both by scientific ambition and the search for an environment that matches one's aspirations. For Ghislain Paka, then nearing the end of his academic studies in biochemistry in Cameroon, INRS quickly became the obvious choice. More than just a university program, he was looking for an environment that fostered scientific curiosity, intellectual daring, and excellence on a daily basis. Upon his arrival at the Armand-Frappier Health Biotechnology Institute, he discovered a stimulating research environment, marked by the proximity of high-caliber researchers and rigorous supervision, where each project becomes “an opportunity to push the boundaries of knowledge.”
A doctoral student in neurobiology, Ghislain has fond memories of his time at INRS, which he describes as deeply human and collective. Above all, it was the exchanges that made an impression on him: the passionate discussions in the laboratory, the conferences, the scientific days, and the freedom of thought that fuels intellectual rigor. “It was the richness of the lively exchanges, both human and scientific, that made the biggest impression on me,” he says. These constant interactions helped strengthen his scientific mind in a multidisciplinary context, a skill he now considers essential.
From his time at INRS, Ghislain has retained a strong conviction: science is above all a collective adventure. “Challenges and failures are part of the learning process; they are even the driving force behind continuous improvement,” he emphasizes. Multidisciplinary collaborations, particularly with the University of Montreal, have taught him that perseverance, curiosity, and teamwork are inseparable from high-level research.
After obtaining his doctorate, he pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical biochemistry (DEPD), a demanding residency-type program in laboratory medicine offered by the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Montreal. This specialization allowed him to further develop his analytical and clinical skills and obtain a certificate as a specialist in clinical biochemistry from the Ordre des chimistes du Québec. Now a clinical biochemist in the Quebec health care system, he is responsible for managing, interpreting, and validating biochemical analyses (blood, urine, and other biological fluids). He therefore plays a crucial role as a consultant to physicians in diagnosis, disease monitoring, and the interpretation of complex results, contributing directly to patient care. In addition, he works as a technical evaluator for the Standards Council of Canada, participating in the accreditation of medical laboratories in Quebec, particularly in accordance with the international standard ISO 15189:2022.
This path allowed him to give “concrete meaning to [his] scientific background” by closely linking research and clinical practice.
Ghislain believes that his time at INRS prepared him far beyond technical and fundamental knowledge. The critical thinking and rigor he acquired were crucial in completing his specialization, enabling him today to make informed decisions and thrive in complex and constantly changing environments. To those currently studying at INRS, he offers some advice based on his experience: “Resilience is essential. You have to believe in your potential, dare to explore, ask questions, and take advantage of every learning opportunity.”
Looking ahead, Ghislain hopes to continue contributing to the improvement of healthcare through laboratory medicine, teaching, training, and mentoring. He hopes that his career path will inspire the next generation to see science as “a real lever for transformation and positive impact on society.”
[Interviewed in January 2026.]